Album Notes

"Lionel possesses that gift so rare: the ability to reach into the source of musical joy and share it. His music seems to come from everywhere he has been, and from places where no one has ever walked before. A place where the darkest moments and the purest joy intersect and transform us." - Robert Sadin

"Lionel is an amazing guitarist. He's like a musical painter and full of surprises!" - Herbie Hancock

"This is music that can be appreciated for both it's obvious skill and its power to entertain." - Stanley Crouch

Gilfema is West African guitarist Lionel Loueke, Swedish-Italian bassist Massimo Biolcati and Hungarian drummer Ferenc Nemeth. Their name is an amalgam of the leading syllables of their first names - GILfeMA (Lionel's middle name is Gilles, which he is more commonly addressed as back home in Benin).

The sound of three vibrant cultures flows as one over an open tributary of jazz, effortlessly casting spells with compositions as intricate and purposeful as they are soothing and meditative.

Lionel's astoundingly singular artistic sensibilities have rendered him a high profile contributor to acclaimed recordings and tours with Herbie Hancock, Terence Blanchard and Charlie Haden.

Submerge yourself in the magical mystery music of Gilfema - a sound that buoyantly bobs and bops beyond category.